By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday said Astana and Ashgabat are prepared to advance a proposed transport link to South Asia through Afghanistan, calling the plan a key element of expanding regional connectivity as Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov paid a state visit to Kazakhstan.
At a joint media briefing in Astana, Tokayev stressed that Turkmenistan remains a “reliable partner and fraternal country,” adding that discussions covered trade, energy, and cultural ties, as well as new transit routes critical for regional stability, the Kazakh presidential press service Akorda reported.
He noted that the leaders reviewed prospects for “building a railway line to South Asia through Afghanistan,” describing the project as strategically important for both countries amid growing demand for secure North-South corridors.
Tokayev highlighted the rising role of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, where cargo volumes grew by 14% in the first 10 months of the year, and said the two sides agreed to fully use their Caspian ports — Aktau, Kuryk, and Turkmenbashi — to reinforce wider transport networks.
Work on the Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz-Kazakhstan border route is also progressing, he added.
Trade expansion remained a priority, with Tokayev saying turnover already exceeds $500 million annually.
“Together with President Berdimuhamedov, we will take the necessary measures to increase mutual trade to 1 billion dollars,” he said, noting plans for a joint work plan, establishing mutual trading houses, and a review of direct commercial flights.
Agriculture and energy cooperation were also discussed. Tokayev said Kazakhstan is ready to increase wheat, vegetable oil, pasta, and meat and dairy exports to Turkmenistan, and the two sides evaluated plans for a grain terminal on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan border.
He added that Kazakhstan would continue supporting Turkmen gas supplies to China and explore new gas-processing and infrastructure ventures.
Berdimuhamedov said the talks focused on trade diversification, investment, industrial cooperation, and expanding business ties.
Energy, transport, and logistics remain “strategic directions,” he said, stressing the need to enhance East-West and North-South corridors amid current geopolitical challenges.